Relic Strat roject

Post by **GrantB** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:58 pm

OK, some time ago I bought a Strat off of our beleagured, I mean beloved, founder and Zen God, BG. It is a 1996 Chinese bass wood 50th Anniversery Strat, with simply one of the best necks I've played - ever. I hated the average 3 tone burst so decided to make a relic out of it after I scored some vintage "green" stewmac plastic hardware and a set of my favourite Pete Biltoft vintage pickups. I'm going to, over very long periods of time, tell you all how it's going, amd ,aybe hear your ideas etc.

Right now the guitar is completely dismantled. I sanded the body tonight with 800 grit wet n dry and removed any shiny spots. I then ran some auto undercoat from Repco - 2 passes - over it. The brand is Dupli-Colour and it's an Aussie made Acrylic Lacquer, which is strong and you can apply in really thin coats and get an amazing finish. Limited colour options though.

So right now the body is matt white primer awaiting the odd scuff with 800 then straight into top coat Daphne Blue (well, Toyota something a rather).

The neck requires some work before I can "age", like the tuners I want to use are vintage style nickel Klusons so I have to fill the 10mm holes and re-drill to the correct size (11/32 I think). As you can see I have dowelled them in preparation. I used Remu dowell as it is more dense than pine and finishes nicer.

The peghead face will be painted like some very rare Strats from the 50's-60's were with custom colours. I have an E-bay Strat decal I scored some time back - 50's Spaghetti which I'll use.

I'll probably use the freeeze mothod of distressing but maybe use the Dick Smith ice in a can stuff...

Regular updates (I hope) to come...cheers

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:05 pm

Looking good already, mate!
Good work.

FWIW, I found lying the body flat gives me a better gloss finish on the clear coats, but I guess if you're gonna stress it, that's not so important...

Post by **GrantB** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:14 pm

Cheers - yes I've heard that and I might still try it - I have a Shoreline Gold Tele being done at the same time which I'd like to have a perfect finish...

Post by Bg » Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:07 pm

that neck was a beaut, when I bought it, it was covered in a very uneven lacquer. 30 mins wet and dry did the trick though

Looking forward to seeing more pix as you carry on with the project. Going to have to spend some time in the woodshed with my project

TMG 03 · Post by **TMG 03** » Thu Jun 17, 2004 10:11 pm

Brown shoe polish will age that neck just right

Post by **GrantB** » Thu Jun 17, 2004 10:36 pm

An interesti ng twist tonight...did the first coat of blue - it is a very powdery matt finish...mmm...nothing like the american lacquer I've used recently...maybe the clear top coat holds the secret...all Dupli-Colour cans being used here...update to follow

Post by Bg » Thu Jun 17, 2004 11:02 pm

got to be kiwi brown though! and not the dark tan stuff - way too red...

The clear coat lacquer will hold the secret, I've resprayed a couple of motorbikes with duplicolour - metallic silver and black, the lacquer is excellent

B45-12 · Post by **B45-12** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 2:20 am

Lovely colour - I assumet the idea is to make a distressed visual replica of a 60's custom strat so don't forget the greenish gunge in the crevices (that nickel plating used to corrode ever so slightly), the cigarette burn up by the 6th string on the head(where we used to park the fags while playing) and the inevitably word through finish where the arm goes over the body bout.

For extra authenticity, you could also have a stash of 'dried vegetable matter' down near the reverb can in the matching Fender amp but that might be going a little too far.

Must admit I find it sort of funny that someone would actually try to recreate those guitars, given the many improvements since, but good on you mate for going with it.

TMG 03 · Post by **TMG 03** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:33 pm

Is that your old Gat BG ?

Post by Bg » Mon Jun 21, 2004 7:10 pm

yep...

Post by **GrantB** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:56 pm

Yeah, it is wierd to "stress" a guitar when I polish other ones... a suitably "rocked out" guitar is however somehow attractive...the blue looks awesome - photos to come...I have scumgy looking pickgaurds etc, and am prepared to urinate on the screws, bridge etc to corrode them quicker than normal, maybe after a big night to give it that little bit "extra"...

Post by Bg » Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:40 pm

I would recommend having a big night out but leaving it until the morning, to make sure it's properly brewed....

We want Pics!!!

Post by **GrantB** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 11:29 am

Of me urinating?

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 11:34 am

> am prepared to urinate on the screws, bridge etc to corrode them quicker than normal,

TMI!!

Post by Bg » Tue Jun 22, 2004 12:42 pm

*UNIQUE* wrote:Of me urinating?

erm, NO!